2-3-5-(triglutathion-s-yl)hydroquinone and Kidney-Diseases

2,3,5-tris-(glutathion-S-yl)-hydroquinone (TGHQ), a metabolite of hydroquinone (HQ), generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cultured renal epithelial cells and binds to tissue macromolecules within the rat kidney. The potential mechanisms by which TGHQ induces nephrotoxicity and nephrocarcinogenesis have been examined in cell culture models, but less is known concerning the molecular mechanisms of TGHQ-induced nephrotoxicity in vivo. In LLC-PK1 cells, TGHQ induces phosphorylation of both mitogen-activated protein kinase and histone H3, which likely promotes inappropriate chromatin condensation and mitotic catastrophe. Using the Eker (Tsc-2 mutant) rat as a model, we show by immunohistochemistry that TGHQ (7.5 micromol/kg) selectively induces ERK1/2 phosphorylation within the outer stripe of the outer medulla (OSOM) of the kidney. ERK1/2 phosphorylation is time-dependant, occurring as early as 1 h following treatment, and reaching maximal levels by 4 h. Subsequently, ERK1/2 phosphorylation returns to baseline levels by 24 h post treatment. ERK1/2 phosphorylation was confirmed by western blot analysis of OSOM tissue. Increases in histone H3 phosphorylation occurred subsequent to ERK1/2 phosphorylation (8 h), and reached a peak by 24 h, coincident with histological evidence of tissue necrosis. In contrast to studies in cell culture, neither JNK/SAPK nor p38 MAPK phosphorylation were significantly altered after TGHQ administration in vivo, as evidenced by western blot and immunohistochemical analyses. These data indicate that activation of the ERK1/2 pathway precedes overt cytotoxicity and that the signaling pathways activated by TGHQ in vivo and in vitro differ.

Topics: Animals; Blotting, Western; Enzyme Induction; Glutathione; Histones; Hydroquinones; Immunohistochemistry; In Vitro Techniques; Indicators and Reagents; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Kidney Diseases; Kidney Medulla; Male; MAP Kinase Kinase 4; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Phosphorylation; Rats

11-Deoxy-16,16-dimethyl PGE(2) (DDM-PGE(2)) protects renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (LLC-PK(1)) against the toxicity induced by 2,3,5-tris(glutathion-S-yl)hydroquinone (TGHQ), a potent nephrotoxic and nephrocarcinogenic metabolite of hydroquinone. We have now determined the ability of DDM-PGE(2) to protect against other renal toxicants and report that DDM-PGE(2) only protects against oncotic cell death, induced by H(2)O(2), iodoacetamide, and TGHQ, but not against apoptotic cell death induced by cisplatin, mercuric chloride, or tumor necrosis factor-alpha. DDM-PGE(2)-mediated cytoprotection is associated with the upregulation of at least five proteins, including the major endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone glucose-regulated protein 78 (Grp78). To elucidate the role of Grp78 in oncotic cell death, we used LLC-PK(1) cells in which induction of grp78 expression was disrupted by stable expression of an antisense grp78 RNA (pkASgrp78). As anticipated, DDM-PGE(2) failed to induce Grp78 in pkASgrp78 cells, with a concomitant inability to provide cytoprotection. In contrast, DDM-PGE(2) induced Grp78 and afforded cytoprotection against H(2)O(2), iodoacetamide, and TGHQ in empty vector transfected cells (pkNEO). These data suggest that Grp78 plays an essential role in DDM-PGE(2)-mediated cytoprotection. Moreover, TGHQ-induced p38 MAPK activation is disrupted under conditions of a compromised ER stress response in pkASgrp78 cells, which likely contributes to the loss of cytoprotection. Finally, using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy, we found that DDM-PGE(2) induced several proteins in pkNEO cells, but not in pkASgrp78 cells, including retinol-binding protein, myosin light chain, and heat shock protein 27. The findings suggest that additional proteins may act in concert with Grp78 during DDM-PGE(2)-mediated cytoprotection against oncotic cell death.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Cell Death; Cell Line; Cytoprotection; Dinoprostone; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP; Epithelial Cells; Gene Expression; Glutathione; Heat-Shock Proteins; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Hydroquinones; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Iodoacetamide; Kidney Diseases; Kidney Tubules, Proximal; Molecular Chaperones; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Phosphorylation; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; RNA, Antisense

2,3,5-Tris(glutathion-S-yl)hydroquinone (TGHQ) is nephrotoxic in male Fischer 344 rats (20 micromol/kg) and albino guinea pigs (200 micromol/kg), but not BALB/c or B6C3F1 mice or Golden Syrian hamsters (200 micromol/kg). Since quinones are known to alkylate proteins, and because such macromolecular damage may play a role in cytotoxicity, we investigated the covalent binding of TGHQ to kidney (target tissue) and liver (nontarget tissue) of rodents "sensitive" or "resistant" to the nephrotoxic effects of TGHQ. Immunohistochemical staining of tissue obtained 2 h after administration of TGHQ, with rabbit anti-2-bromo-N-(acetyl-L-cystein-S-yl)HQ antibodies, correlated with the subsequent region of necrosis observed 19 h after dosing in Fischer 344 rats and guinea pigs. Immunohistochemical staining was localized to the S3 segment of the renal proximal tubules, at the corticomedullary junction along the medullary rays, and in the outer stripe of the outer medulla. Immunostaining was also observed in the same region in hamsters, but subsequent necrosis did not develop. In contrast, no immunostaining was observed in mice. Moreover, immunostaining was not detected in the livers of any species. Western blot analysis revealed numerous immunoreactive renal proteins in TGHQ-treated animals. The most distinctive immunostaining renal proteins were observed in Fischer 344 rats at approximately 34 kDa (mitochondria), approximately 35 kDa (nuclei) which comigrated with histone H1, and approximately 73 kDa (urine) which comigrated with gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. These adducted proteins were not detected in other species. Qualitative differences in alkylated proteins may therefore contribute to species susceptibility to TGHQ.

Topics: Animals; Cricetinae; Cytosol; Glutathione; Hydroquinones; Immunohistochemistry; Kidney; Kidney Diseases; Liver; Male; Mesocricetus; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Microsomes; Proteins; Rabbits; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Sulfides

Hydroquinone, an intermediate used in the chemical industry and a metabolite of benzene, is a nephrocarcinogen in the 2-year National Toxicology Program bioassay in male Fischer 344 rats. Current evidence suggests that certain chemicals may induce carcinogenesis by a mechanism involving cytotoxicity, followed by sustained regenerative hyperplasia and ultimately tumor formation. Glutathione (GSH) conjugates of a variety of hydroquinones are potent nephrotoxicants, and we now report on the effect of hydroquinone and 2,3,5-(tris-glutathion-S-yl)hydroquinone, on site-selective cytotoxicity and cell proliferation in rat kidney. Male Fischer 344 rats (160-200 g) were treated with hydroquinone (1.8 mmol/kg or 4.5 mmol/kg, p.o.) or 2,3,5-(tris-glutathion-S-yl)hydroquinone (7.5 micromol/kg; 1.2-1.5 micromol/rat, i.v.), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urinary gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glucose were measured as indices of nephrotoxicity. Hydroquinone (1.8 mmol/kg, p.o.) is nephrotoxic in some rats, but not others, but cell proliferation (BrDU incorporation) in proximal tubular cells of the S3M region correlates with the degree of toxicity in individual rats. At 4.5 mmol/kg, hydroquinone causes significant increases in the urinary excretion of gamma-GT, ALP and GST. Pretreatment of rats with acivicin prevents hydroquinone-mediated nephrotoxicity, indicating that toxicity is dependent on the formation of metabolites that require processing by gamma-GT. Consistent with this view, 2,3,5-(tris-glutathion-S-yl)hydroquinone, a metabolite of hydroquinone, causes increases in BUN, urinary gamma-GT and ALP, all of which are maximal 12 h after administration of 2,3,5-(tris-glutathion-S-yl)hydroquinone. In contrast, the maximal excretion of GST and glucose occurs after 24 h. By 72 h, BUN and glucose concentrations return to control levels, while gamma-GT, ALP and GST remain slightly elevated. Examination of kidney slices by light microscopy revealed the presence of tubular necrosis in the S3M segment of the proximal tubule, extending into the medullary rays. Cell proliferation rates in this region were 2.4, 6.9, 15.3 and 14.3% after 12, 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively, compared to 0.8-2.4% in vehicle controls. Together with the metabolic data, the results indicate a role for hydroquinone-thioether metabolites in hydroquinone toxicity and carcinogenicity.

Topics: Animals; Carcinogens; Cell Division; Cell Survival; gamma-Glutamyltransferase; Glutathione; Hydroquinones; Isoxazoles; Kidney; Kidney Diseases; Kidney Neoplasms; Male; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344